produktermaterial

Produktermaterial is a concept in product development that emphasizes the role of materials in shaping product performance, cost, sustainability, and lifecycle considerations. The term combines elements of "produk" (product) and "material" to highlight how material choice influences design decisions throughout a product's life.

It encompasses the selection of materials based on properties such as strength, weight, thermal performance, and durability, as well as external factors like supply risk, price volatility, and environmental impact. The approach integrates data-driven tools such as material data sheets, bill of materials, and life cycle assessment to support trade-offs between performance and cost. Designers cooperate with materials engineers, procurement teams, and sustainability specialists to align material choices with regulatory requirements and end-of-life considerations.

Applications span electronics, automotive, packaging, consumer goods, and industrial equipment. Examples include choosing recyclable polymers with low embodied energy for a consumer device, or using corrosion-resistant alloys in outdoor machinery to extend service life while reducing maintenance. The concept promotes design for disassembly and modularization to improve recoverability at end of use.

Although widely used as a practical framework in industry discussions, produktermaterial is not a standardized, universally defined term. Its exact meaning may vary by company or sector, but the core idea remains the integration of materials science with product design to optimize sustainability and value.